L

Lagurus ovatus  BUNNY TAILS  in garden   an adorable little annual grass with puffy flowers that turn white, resembling, of course, the tail of a rabbit. Delightful just about anywhere, borders, with rocks, in containers, or surrounding garden art. Cut back the leaves for another wave of shorter blades and stalks. rev 4/2011-SB 

montevidensis (sellowiana)    closeup    habit    more habit    with callas    common trailing purple lantana grows to 2’ tall, 10’ wide. Recovered quickly from 20°F.
montevidensis white    like regular species, but with a profuse show of white flowers.
‘Radiation Improved’    closeup    habit    much darker red flowers than ‘Radiation,’ especially when young or grown in containers. Large plant. May be the same as ‘New Red’ or ‘Dallas Red.’

Laurus nobilis    BAY, GRECIAN LAUREL    tree    an evergreen shrub or tree to 15-25’ tall and wide. A must for anyone who barbecues, where handfuls of green foliage can be placed on the fire to season the ribs. A few of those, some allspice leaves, some rosemary, then stand by with a baseball bat to fend off the neighbors! Sun or mostly shade, little or no watering, frost hardy. Excellent as a clipped hedge, or a small, neat tree. Also outstanding as a container plant, tolerating erratic or inadequate watering quite well. Mediterranean. Lauraceae. rev 10/2010

‘Saratoga’    young trees    flowers    foliage    hybrid, reportedly of  Laurus nobilis and Umbellularia californica, introduced by Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation. We suspect it is a seedling of  L. azorica (canariensis) a species native to the Canary Islands and Madeira. Grows as a large, fast evergreen shrub or small tree to 10-25’. Leaves grow to 4-5" long, 3" wide. Smell when crushed is like that of Laurus nobilis, but even sweeter. Lusher, fuller than either reported parent. Sun or mostly shade, little or no summer watering, hardy to at least 20°F.

Lavandula angustifolia    ENGLISH LAVENDER    flowers close up    row    compact evergreen shrub to 2’ tall, 5-6’ wide bears narrow, tomentose grey leaves and tall, thin spikes of light purple flowers in summer. Sun, good drainage, little or no summer watering. Excellent in perennial gardens or mixed with Mediterranean style plantings. This variety has the strongest sweet lavender fragrance, although the L. x intermedia types produce greater quantities of oil. Very seasonal bloom, and often doesn't flower heavily until established. We are raising a robust, rounded selection done from cuttings. The wild types seen in most natural populations seem to more resemble Munstead, with tighter growth and terete foliage. Sun, good drainage. Little watering once established. Sunset zones 4-24/USDA 5. Southern Europe. Labiatae/Lamiaceae. rev 7/2011

Hidcote    flowers    blooming plant    cruciform foliage    very compact growth to 1-2’ tall and wide, with darkest purple blue buds and flowers of any L. angustifolia variety. Can develop cruciform foliage with age. rev 7/2011
'Hidcote Pink'  contrast  soft pink flowers on grey green leaves, growing 14-18" tall and wide. Looks very nice with dark leaves or, as shown here, with Lavandula angustifolia 'Twickell Purple'. Very fragrant flowers make small bouquets for vases, cups or adding to bureau drawers or closets. rev 7/2011-SB 
Munstead    masses of flowers    habit    cruciform foliage    to 1’, very tight, with medium purple flowers. Tends to have very grey white, cruciform foliage and spread much wider than it is tall. This one is slow and needs good drainage, maybe better than the others. 7/2011
'Premier'  a semidwarf variety to 2' tall and 2 1/2 ' wide. Grown for its strong stems, this is great variety for cutting, drying, and fragrance. Flowers are dark purple on silvery green foliage. Nice border for vegetable and herb gardens since it attracts a lot of bees for pollination. rev 7/2011-SB 

‘Goodwin Creek’    closeup    Lighthouse Point    soft, densely woolly grey green leaves have coarsely serrate margins near the tips and rolled margins. Grows with a very lush, compact habit and doesn't seem to suffer from any dieback problems. Produces small, very dark purple flowers on tall, thin stalks in spring and summer. Reported to be a hybrid of  L. dentata and L. lanata, this is an excellent, reliable form. This very noteworthy development is grown mostly for its foliage but is quite distinctive when in bloom. A must for any grey foliage lover.

heterophylla  SWEET LAVENDER   first flower stalks   beautiful, slender light purple flowers on long, branched stems make a stunning display on this large growing lavender, topping out at 4' or more, and just as wide. This is not as spectacular in flower as L. angustifolia or L. stoechas but it has by far the longest bloom season, from spring through fall, plus it has true lavender aroma. What a great hedge this would make! Just prune back by one third after blooming, give average to little watering once established, and make the bees very happy. Sun, at least average drainage, prefers mineral soils over clays or highly amended sites. Sunset zones 8, 9, 12-24/USDA 8. rev 6/2011 

x intermedia    LAVANDIN    an adaptable hybrid, of  L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. Separated from the "English" lavenders by their always at least somewhat branched flower stalks, slightly later flowering, and recurrent bloom until fall. The original strains were selected for heavy production of lavender oil. Later cultivars were selected for showiness. Along with L. dentata and the L. stoechas varieties, they are probably the most impressively showy  lavenders. rev 6/2005

‘du Provence’    flowering plants in our nursery to 3’ tall, 4-5’ wide, with heavy production of flower stalks to 4’ borne over a long season. A great variety, vigorous, reliable, relatively large, fragrant, and very showy. The most commonly encountered L. intermedia variety. rev 10/2009
‘Dutch Mill’    flowers    to 2’ tall, 3’ wide, with flower stalks to 18-24" long. Light purple flowers are extremely fragrant. This looks to me like a more compact version of  'du Provence.' rev 8/2005
‘Grosso’    flowering plants in our nursery    closeup    compact growth with thick spikes of dark purple buds and purple flowers.  rev 12/2010
‘Twickel Purple’    flower spikes    almost identical to ‘Grosso,’ but slightly lower and the flower and buds are slightly redder, appearing dark violet purple. Excellent fragrance. Considered by some to be a variety of L. angustifolia. rev 12/2010
‘White’    flowers    the best white lavender, for vigor, clean color, and habit. Quite showy when in bloom. It is also a good foliage plant, with felty, grey white foliage closely set on a compact but vigorous shrub to 2' tall by 4' or so across. rev 8/2005

‘Richard Grey’    flowers and foliage    this is a great new hybrid of L. angustifolia (English Lavender), and L. lanata (Woolly Lavender). The former has compact grey foliage and showy spikes of fragrant purple flowers. The latter is mostly grown for foliage and form, with larger, woolly, white leaves and a dense, rounded habit. Its tiny flowers are very dark purple, much less noticeable, and have a sharper, untamed scent closer to turpentine. This hybrid has flowers that are very showy; and while still small they are actually individually about twice as large as those of regular English Lavender, and a rich medium purple in color. The short spikes themselves are a silvery white color and the clear purple against the spikes and leaves is very nice,  one of the best of all the lavenders. The scent is mostly like English but slightly pungent. It offers much of the flowering value of English Lavender but is considerably denser and whiter in foliage, often with a wonderful light golden cast under drier conditions, and is much easier to grow than the outstanding but very touchy Woolly Lavender. Still this one prefers good drainage. It appears to be sterile, and so should continue to bloom heavily instead of setting seed. It is too new to know how big it will get with great age, but it is a very compact grower that looks like it will struggle to reach 18" high by 2' across. rev 11/2010

'Silver Frost'   leaves   forming a dense silvery white dome, this outstanding cross between L. lanata and L. angustifolia adds a whole new texture to the garden. Dark purple flowers contrast nicely with the wooly leaves. This variety does not have a 'down' time and looks great all year. 'Kathleen Elizabeth' is a synonym. An excellent choice for Central Valley heat as long as drainage is good. Shows well when planted in groups, makes a good low border, and is a great container subject. Sun, good drainage, little water when established. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-24/USDA 8. rev 12/2011 

stoechas ‘Otto Quast’    closeup    more close up    simple container    mature    Mills Garden    Mills Garden, backlit    a selection with especially large, showy light purple bracts. Also known as L. stoechas pedunculata. It is not clonal in the trade but represents a range of strains originating from similar but distinct seed parents. A few of these have made it into the trade under separate names. This is one of the great Mediterranean garden perennials and one of the very best lavenders, and saying either is a huge compliment. The combination of purple on grey combined with compact habit and almost continuous flowering make it a plant your eye will be drawn toward any time you enter the garden. It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, and bees whether those are a problem or a joy (personally I like the activity, and bees collecting honey are generally too busy and sated to bother anyone). We in the trade almost take this plant for granted but few plants give their gardening owners as much pleasure. It is absolutely stunning when used  en masse. It looks good next to practically anything but looks especially nice against coral or dark leaved phormiums and large grasses like Stipa gigantea. I have usually seen it less than 30-36" high but it often spreads to over 5'. Like all lavenders it likes its drainage to be good but it will easily tolerate less than perfect conditions. It doesn't seem picky about soil type. It can tolerate almost no summer watering in most parts of the state but in the hotter regions it will tend to curl up and look rather dried out and dead, like some our native sages, after a few months without at least occasional irrigation. Considered frost hardy for all of California except the higher half of the Sierra Nevada and the colder parts of the northeastern corner. Sunset zones 5-24/USDA zone 7. rev 9/2010

'Amy Pink'  closeup  5g block   named for one of Manuel's daughters, this is a light lavender pink that is a softer, more pleasing shade than the other pink forms that have been released. rev 10/2008 MBN INTRODUCTION - APR 2004
‘Dedication’    closeup    garden    thinner foliage and thinner, bluer, more numerous bracts that often tend to lay more horizontally are seen in this selection of  L. stoechas. rev 4/2004
'Mi Casa'   delicate flags  very light lilac rabbit ears are the feature of this seedling selection from our own Manuel Morales' garden. To 2-3' tall, 3-4' wide. rev 5/2011 
'Silver Anouk' PP 20,068   silvery foliage    compact, extremely silver foliage makes the perfect backdrop for dark lavender purple flowers. This was found as a branch sport within a block of the significantly greener 'Anouk.' This has more disease resistance, more flowers, and just a great presentation. I like this plant. Very new, very special.  About 24-36" tall and wide. Sunset zones 4-24/USDA  7. rev 9/2010 

Leonotis leonurus    LION’S TAIL    closeup    with cactus & green Victorian    why you use a grape stake fence    bright orange, curved, tubular flowers appear in whorled clusters borne on tall spikes in summer and fall. When in bloom the plant can be over 6’ tall. Best cut back in late winter or early spring, but can be cut back as late as June if you really want to keep it compact. Sun to part shade, infrequent summer watering. A tender subtropical perennial, its tops are damaged below 28°F but will survive much lower, sprouting from the roots. All Leonotis are great for attracting hummingbirds. South Africa. Labiatae/Lamiaceae.

Leptinella potentillina    with rock  a very low, 2" tall, evergreen spreader that looks like tiny ferns. Easy to grow in sun or part shade, most soils, average water. Great choice for between stepping stones, with rocks, or just as groundcover. It's petite size makes it useful for railroad gardens. Also called Brass Buttons because of the tiny yellow flowers produced in spring and summer. All Sunset zones, USDA 4. rev 10/2010 

Leptospermum    sprawling groundcovers, shrubs and trees, native to Australia and New Zealand. Many Australian Leptospermums will tolerate considerable water in winter, with some growing in saturated soils. For both the Australian and New Zealand Leptospermum species, retail advice to the consumer should include plenty of watering until plants are well established. Myrtaceae.

‘Dark Shadows’    flowers    small tree    a seedling of a seedling of an Australian variety or hybrid called ‘Copper Spray,’ this fast, broad, spreading shrub reaches 15' tall by 20' across and can quickly be formed into a tree. Rather large leaves (for a Leptospermum), are soft and flushed very dark burgundy maroon wherever they encounter direct sunlight. Creamy white single flowers to 3/4" across are produced in summer on new growth. This thing is big and fast. In full sun it is the darkest foliaged Lepto that we know of, and makes an outstanding background or centerpiece specimen. Its long sprays of foliage move easily in a breeze, and the trailing branches create an overall luxuriant look. Sun (for color), drought tolerant, not damaged at 25°F but probably at least severely unhappy at 20°F. rev 1/2003

scoparium    NEW ZEALAND TEA TREE    don't do this    native grove recreated at the Edward Landels Garden, UCSC    our colored hybrids and selections are from New Zealand. The Australian races of this species are hardier, always white, and not seen in this country. Need at least half sun, ample watering upon planting, and are severely damaged or killed by frost below 20°F. All will tolerate little or no watering, but certainly look better with at least occasional irrigation. They can make excellent cut flowers, especially the double flowering forms, which are usually more resistant to shattering.

‘Apple Blossom’    closeup    double light pink flowers, often flushing all at once. Fast growth with a relatively vertical habit when young, eventually spreading. The foliage turns dark when exposed to cold weather. Often blooms very early and stays in flower over a long season.
'Burgundy Queen'    closeup    bush    double dark red flowers against dark burgundy foliage. Fast, vertical growth to 10-12’.
‘Crimson Glory’    closeup    very large, double darkest red flowers against burgundy foliage. Compact rounded growth to 4-6’ tall and wide.
‘Gaiety Girl’    closeup    in full bloom    double medium pink flowers against green foliage. To 8-10’, upright then spreading.
‘Helene Strybing’    closeup    clipped    medium-sized single pink flowers with a dark eye. Fast, somewhat open growth to 12-15’.
‘Pink Pearl’    closeup    pink buds open to double white flowers. Essentially all white when in full bloom. Relatively vertical growth to 8-10’.
‘Red Ensign’    closeup    single dark red flowers with a dark eye, to 1/2" across. Dark green foliage, with very red new growth, on a rounded plant to 8-10’.
‘Ruby Glow’    closeup    why you plant it    clipped    double light rosy red flowers. Foliage is green, with slight burgundy tinge in cold weather. Upright to rounded habit.

Leucadendron    that's “leuca,” not “leuco.” Shrubs and trees related to Banksia and Grevillea, all from South Africa. They are mostly grown for their colored bracts, which subtend cone-like flower clusters, usually in winter, but they are also quite valuable for their mostly neat, durable, often rich green or reddish tinged summer foliage and neat, almost formal habits. Some are used for silvery or silky foliage effects and willowy or wispy habits. Most like good drainage, moderate frost, and infrequent summer watering, but there are exceptions to each. They are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. All can be used for cut "flowers," or have attractive, decorative cones and some are used for their cut green foliage as well. They make very forgiving and underrated container plants, able to take much more drought stress than most plants without damage. They are essentially fire adapted chaparral plants, and thus are relatively short lived, tending to last 10-15 years before declining, splitting at the base, blowing over, or just plain turning up their toes and going brown. That's okay; they are fast, bloom easily, free up a lot of room when they are gone, and you probably wanted to experiment with something else there by now anyway. Proteaceae. rev 1/2006

discolor ‘Pom Pom’    incredible flowers    full grown bush, UCSC Arboretum    from above    against the sky    wonderful foliage    this is one of my favorite plants, certainly my favorite Leucadendron. A moderate grower to 6' or so, distinguished by oval leaves with a steely blue to grey green color and often purplish tones to the edges or even the entire terminal leaves during cool weather. The subtending cone bracts turn almost blonde white in spring and open widely to reveal the cone-like cluster of minute, hot red and yellow male flowers within. This is a very showy species with good cold hardiness that must have acid soils, good drainage, preferably sandy or mineral soils, and careful summer watering. It needs some irrigation but it should not receive too much, nor receive it too frequently, nor should it completely dry out under very hot, dry conditions. It will tolerate frost down to around 20°F so should be good into the Central Valley and surrounding foothills if you can manage the summer watering. This may be the best selection of the species, though probably a little harder to grow than most. It is well worth special attention. Like all the Leucadendrons, it is a first rate cut flower but this is also probably the showiest of them all. rev 1/2006 

galpinii    HAIRLESS SANDVELD CONEBUSH, SILVER BALLS    cones    distinctive foliage    to 6-8' tall, with robust vertical stems that bear fine grey green leaves held in a characteristic propeller twist near the ends of the branches. Silky round female cones appear in late spring and summer. This primarily a foliage plant, unlike most other members of this genus which, while nice for leaves alone, are primarily grown for their showy bracts. This species is more subtle but very noticeable in the landscape and quite attractive. Its cones are still quite attractive as a cut flower. Likes its drainage to be at least average. Sunset zones 8-9, 14-24. rev 12/2011 

‘Jester’    new foliage    at Chris Chaney's    open bracts, SF Zoo   more color    also known as ‘Safari Sunshine,’ this plant has been around a while and we resisted raising it back when variegated plants were considered oddities. But with the new emphasis on foliage effects now we like it. It is a carnival-striped affair, green broadly edged creamy white to buff yellow, and tinting to coral pink, especially in cool or cold weather and especially towards the tips. When flowering (fall through spring) the bracts turn deep red then blond. Growth is slow and compact to maybe 3-4' in a reasonable amount of time. It is a sport of ‘Safari Sunset.’ Slow. rev 10/2011 

meridianum ‘More Silver’    incredible juvenile foliage    flower heads    again   this is an outstanding variety of the species, selected for its reflective billows of very soft textured, extremely silvery foliage. It gets about 4-5' tall with age (slowly!), spreading about as wide, but is often seen lower, to say 3-4'. It bears small yellow male cones inside petite, bright golden yellow bracts scattered over the top of the plant in mid-spring. Stems are coral red and contrast nicely with the leaves. A high value form/foliage plant, this one needs good drainage and at least half a day of direct sun. For best results grow it in mineral soils in full sun with a minimum of watering and temperatures not below 25F. Tolerant of high pH, probably adapted to Sunset zones 8-9, 16-24. rev 4/2009 

‘Pisa’    flowering     full grown shrub, UCSC Arboretum    cones    Mills Garden    another closeup       (L. coniferum x floridum) a wispy, fast, narrow grower with rather willowy, very silver foliage and yellowish bracts surrounding small, cone-like female flower clusters in spring. To about 6' tall by 3-5' across. This one needs good drainage and relatively frost free climates. Excellent to cut for foliage as well as cones. rev 12/2011 

‘Rising Sun’    closeup, best color bloom    what you want    late spring UCSC Arboretum    closeup, late spring     reddish, willowy new growth    summer, against the sky    a L. laureolum x salignum hybrid, to about 6' by 6', with a somewhat open, upright growth habit. Very close to its sister hybrid ‘Safari Sunset’ but a pinker, more strawberry red, with a paler center, contrasting red stems, and reportedly more resistant to pathogens. Winter bloom. Excellent vigor, relatively easy to grow. rev 1/2006 

'Safari Goldstrike'  blooming in late December  a rather large-foliaged, lush, cut flower variety that bears ivory white flower heads and bracts, aging to deep golden yellow, against dark green leaves and attractive burgundy red stems. The bract edges and tips become tinged and flushed with orange and peachy sunset shades, and the narrow bract edge continues to darken until it is almost deep red. To about 6' tall and wide, growing with a dense, mostly upright habit and clean green foliage. Male form. Demands good drainage and not very much frost. rev 12/2011

‘Safari Sunset’    UCSC Arboretum, full size    another plant, UCSC    flowers closeup    a female L. laureolum x salignum hybrid form, to about 6' by 6', larger on old, unpruned plants, relatively compact growing. The bracts are dark, intense red, often showing a blonde center, and begin to color up in early fall, lasting until spring. The new growth is wonderfully silky, dark bronzy red when it emerges in late winter. A relatively cold hardy and easy to grow variety with excellent vigor. rev 12/2011

salignum    this species is rather variable in texture and appearance, ranging from ground covers through moderately large upright shrubs. The usual color in the wild is yellow though most forms used in horticultural are reds. It is one of the more adaptable species. Frost hardy to at least 25°F, and probably much less, so figure it will do well in Sunset zones 8-9, 16-24 or USDA zone 9. It should be tried by adventurous gardeners in Sunset zones 6-7, maybe USDA zone 8 or even 8b. Makes a great, forgiving container plant .rev 6/2011

'Blush'  young bracts   mature bracts   a female variety originally selected for cut flower, featuring compact growth, rounded flower/bract heads, and deep, dark red color aging to strawberry blond to ivory. Fine textured foliage, upright growth to perhaps 3'.  Very, very nice! rev 12/2011

'Ceres 1'   flowers   a typical L. salignum, with a nice show of narrow, light strawberry and cream bracts enclosing female cones in late winter through early summer. To about 3' and spreading to 8' across, unrestrained. This is very similar to 'Summer Red.' rev 12/2011

'Ceres 2'   why you grow it   typical middle aged plant   full blown maturity   favorite view   a medium size shrub with particularly nice blond and strawberry pink flower bracts enclosing female cones. This is one of four seedling selections originally planted out by the Arboretum at UCSC and I think is the best of the lot. It  is similar to 'Summer Red' but has larger bracts, and is lighter in color than the very similar 'Blush.' Typical conditions, full sun, at least average drainage, mostly fall-spring watering with just enough summer watering to get it through (and away from direct contact with the crown if possible), and little or no fertilizing beyond iron or trace element treatments. It makes a very good container plant for at least a few years, tolerating wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels without complaint. Of course it is a superior cut flower. To about 6' tall and wide, unpruned. rev 6/2011 

‘Chief’    best color    another picture, in bloom    willowy growth    reddish foliage    a fast, moderately dense, upright shrub to about 6-8' tall and wide, with a whippy or willowy habit. Leaves are quite narrow, dark green to bright green, to 2" long, and each has a dark red tip. The stems are bright to dark red and contrast nicely with the clean foliage, especially in late winter when the older leaves are lighter in color. The brilliant yellow stamens of the small male flower heads are subtended by small, very showy dark red outer bracts and very thin, bright citron yellow to blonde colored inner bracts, which color in winter and last until early spring. Sometimes the inner bracts even show a red zone at the center, for a nice bicolor effect. When colored up the flowers and bracts form a wonderfully showy canopy on the outside of the bush and almost look like clusters of minute Eryngium flowers. The new growth emerges dark maroon red, and is almost as showy as the bracts, contrasting quite strongly against the green foliage as it does. This species can be cut back very hard if you need to for size or renewal reasons, even to the ground, resprouting well from dormant buds on old wood or from its persistent, fire resistant rootstock. However it should be cut back after bloom (spring) or no later than midsummer or you risk cutting off growth which will be mature enough to bloom the following winter. It is an outstanding cut flower/foliage form that is commercially produced. This is a very adaptable variety, probably the easiest one to grow of all, and this species is the mostly widely distributed of the genus. Likes full or mostly full sun, at least average drainage, and occasional summer watering. rev 12/2011

‘Golden Tip’    blooming    in nature L. salignum is almost all yellow, it is the pink and red forms that are unusual. In horticulture the situation is reversed. This is another variety much like 'Summer Red,' named for the elegant shape and color of its terminal bracts, which range from light blonde through golden yellow, sometimes with a few strawberry tints showing at the bract edges with age. To about 3' tall and 5' wide, narrow of petal and bract and graceful of growth and habit. The foliage is rather blue grey and offsets the blooms and burgundy stems quite nicely. Winter bloom. rev 12/2011

‘Summer Red’    winter flowers    new growth    winter flowering but with red new growth in late spring and summer. It has a delicate, quite graceful habit and presentation, narrow leaves, and bears narrow, tulip-like terminal bracts which color to a deep strawberry coral red with paler interiors beginning in early fall and lasting into spring. To about 4' by 6', slightly and pleasantly open, fine textured, with elegant terminal bracts. rev 12/2008

‘Winter Red’    prime bloom, UCSC Arboretum    closeup, best color    typical size and habit    another plant    new growth    winter juvenile growth color    a fine textured but compact plant to 3-4' tall by 6' across or more, with rather graceful red bracts, broadly tulip-like, coloring up to intense garnet to rich violet red, with cream and strawberry tone,s in early winter, lasting six to seven months until well into spring. When in full bloom the entire outer visible surface of the plant turns dark red. Female form. The foliage is nicely colored even when not budded, with calico-like bright green new growth contrasting with deep purple red expanded leaves and purplish tinged older foliage, especially under cool conditions. rev 12/2011

‘Silvan Red’    UCSC Arboretum, mature plant    closeup    another hybrid of L. laureolum x salignum, and sister cross of ‘Safari Sunset,’ reportedly more resistant to pathogens. Grows to 7' tall by 6' or so wide with a rather open habit, and blooms from fall through late spring with bright red to deep garnet bracts on very long stems that are outstanding for cutting. The bracts and upper leaves turn from green to a smoky, silvery red as they mature. Then the pale centers show when the bracts open slightly as they age. The summer leaves are dark green but most of the foliage takes on wine dark tones in cool weather. Likes full sun to part shade with at least average drainage. rev 10/2006 

‘Wilson’s Wonder’    best color    biggest plant I know of    flowers closeup    why you want it    nursery new growth    (L. salignum x laureolum) listed as synonymous with ‘Bell’s Sunrise.’ This is a very popular and often commented on selection that makes a heavy show of moderately large, well opened, bright blond yellow to creamy white bracts, with nice bright yellow, cone-like flower clusters in the center. The mature bracts are often edged and flushed with strawberry coral from cool weather, in winter and early spring. Male form. Reddish stems provide nice additional contrast at any season. Foliage is hard, medium size, bright green, and quite neat. To about 3-4' tall, 5-6' wide, though I know of one unpruned 10 year old specimen in Santa Cruz (Eastside) that is 7-8' tall by a whole bunch across and is looking like it will die or fall apart in another couple of years, as is all Leucadendrons' wont. It is spectacular right now when it blooms, though, a real traffic stopper. This selection needs good drainage. A relatively hardy variety, often seen listed to USDA zone 8/Sunset zone 5, 8-9, 14-24. rev 12/2011 

Lewisia hybrids  BITTERROOT, CLIFF MAIDS  Molly's plant  succulent, rosette-forming, evergreen (most species) perennials that grow as a compact crown of ornamental leaves, forming multiple heads with age if happy. They produce a stunning display of iridescent, silky flowers ranging in color from white through pink, red, orange, and all the sunset tones and bicolor combinations you can imagine. These flowers are produced on branched sprays that usually extend above the foliage. Attractive leaves can look like Echeveria or Sempervivum and seedlings vary widely. These plants are at their best in open, mineral soils, especially in containers, in full to half sunlight and with regular watering. Feed as needed. Plants bloom best after a winter rest. Saxifragaceae. Western North America. rev 2/2010

Little Plum   beginning bloom  note the lack of single quotes around the varietal name. This is a seed strain, a very good and uniform seed strain, but not a genetically identical clone. Apparently a hybrid of L. longipetala and the more familiar L. cotyledon, it is distinguished by large (to 1" across)  flowers held just outside the leaft tips that open yellow orange and age to deep plum pink. While the flower stalks do produce multiple buds, only one opens at at time. The effect when it first starts blooming is that of a circle of flowers surrounding the rosette, later in the season it becomes a dome of color. Crowns get to about 4-5" across. This was derived from a garden seedling found in Scotland, where it obviously survived long, wet winters. The result is a more domesticated Lewisia, less spectacular than some of the L. cotyledon hybrids with their tall, branched flower stalks but quite beatufiful and more persistent, especially when grown in the ground. Still, give it the best, sharpest drainage you can provide. Like any Lewisia it can go for years in a container. Sunset zones 1-7, 14-17, 21-24 / USDA 4-9. Saxifragaceae. rev 2/2010

Sunset strain    Molly's young plant    Filoli's old plant    branched sprays of iridescent flowers ranging from white through salmon, orange, pink, rose and almost red offer amazingly bright color in containers, rock gardens, rock walls, and even strawberry pots. Likes at least half sun, excellent drainage, and a mulch of gravel. Succulent, leathery, evergreen rosettes form multiple heads and grow to about 4" tall by up to a foot across on very mature specimens. Needs some winter vernalization. We've sold this in the past but it has been a few years. Sunset zones 1-7, 14-17/USDA 5. rev 11/2011

Limonium perezii 'Salt Lake'   flowers   similar to the familiar blue Sea Lavender statice, this one is from tissue culture and has cleaner leaves, being more resistant to spotting. Everblooming, easy to grow, good for butterflies, and nice cut for bouquets, fresh or dried. A base of rounded, leathery leaves and bare stems of flowers through fall. About 12-18" tall and wide. This is a nice one for dry borders or containers. It has nothing to do with the Great Salt Lake. Sun, average watering. Perennial in Sunset zones 15-17, 20-24/USDA 9. Canary Islands. Hydrocharitaceae. rev 6/2011 

Libertia peregrinans    SAND IRIS    closeup of backlit foliage    growing at UC Santa Cruz   flowers   a creeping sedge-like or grass-like plant grown for its vertical, very tough, thin, bright orange and olive green leaves to 12" tall. Spreads slowly by underground runners to form small patches of highly colored foliage. Tiny white flowers appear in spring but aren't especially showy. Sun (for best color) to part shade, average watering, likes a grainy or mineral soil. Hardy to below 20°F. New Zealand. Iridaceae. rev 8/2008

'Goldfinger' PPAF  leaf detail  leaves are a more luminous golden, with orange tones. 8/2008 
'Taupo Blaze' PPAF   with part of Maya's body  an interesting introduction distinguished by its dark olive brown foliage.  rev 5/2009

Ligularia tussilaginea    some plants in this genus are sometimes split off into another genus, Farfugium. These are frost hardy, deciduous to evergreen perennials, spreading slowly from clumps. They are grown primarily for their amazing leaves, which tend to be rounded or kidney-shaped, large, dramatic leaves. Most trade forms are marked with colors or have special shapes, such as crested edges. Flowers are yellow, either in sprays or tall spikes, and appear in fall. They are nice and can be quite showy. All varieties can be devastated by snails and demand protection. I have had good success with Sluggo snail bait as well as a ring of Deadline around the plant, or area where they are grown, or a large tic tac toe pattern striped throughout the garden, replenished monthly. By using such a system you can successfully raise snail-prone plants such as these (and Hostas, Kaempferias, etc.). They all make great container plants as well as garden perennials and should really be used where they will be highlighted in the garden. For sun to shade, depending on the variety and how much you want to water, with rich, moist soil and regular watering. All are prone to gophers. Compositae/Asteraceae. China, Japan. rev 4/2005

'Argentea' ('Variegata')    why you plant it    flowers    the legendary, highly sought after and hard to propagate foliage plant, with shiny leaves to 12" across, marked radially in white and pale jade green. Looks awesome against dark rock wall backgrounds or with almost any other leaf texture and color. Looks awesome in a container.  rev 8/2008
‘Aureo-maculata’    habit     leaves    yellow spots on shiny green leaves, to 2' tall and 3' across. rev 12/2002
‘Crested Leopard’    foliage    yellow spots on shiny green leaves that have a heavily crested margin. Wild. To 2' tall, 3' wide. rev 12/2002
‘Crispatum’    why you plant it    shade leaf    hard, fuzzy grey sun leaves    a reason to plant it in shade    shade perennial containers    edges of the leaves are heavily frilled and crested, leaves themselves can reach almost 8" in size and plants can get over 2' across with age. Simply spectacular against any wall or with any foliage. The fuzzy, silvery jade green leaves have an olive tint. Rare. rev 7/2004
‘Gigantea’    why you plant it    huge glossy leaves    giant, glossy green, kidney-shaped leaves, to 12" across and with a convex shape, stand on up to 3' tall petioles. One of the most dramatic foliage perennials, rare, highly sought after, and until now essentially unavailable in retail outlets. We are happy to finally provide this outstanding plant to nurseries for customers to enjoy. It likes the same conditions as the other varieties. However I have seen one very large backyard planting in Saratoga which looked largely untended, thriving in stony, unirrigated soil under fruit trees, leading me to believe its robust nature leads it to be deeper rooted than the others and hence quite a bit more drought tolerant. Still, best and most stunning in part sun to shade with average watering. rev 8/2008

stenocephala ‘The Rocket’    this is a species that has been retained in Ligularia by those who have split L. tussilaginea off into Farfugium. The leaves are of thinner texture, have serrated edges, and the typical yellow flowers are arranged in vertical spikes instead of lower, looser corymbs. This large, robust selection to 3' across is grown for its foot wide, dark burgundy leaves, which color best in full sunlight. When in bloom the flower spike can reach 4', but position this plant for its foliage. Needs at least average watering and will tolerate very wet conditions. It is cold hardy enough to be raised anywhere in California, including the Sierras. rev 12/2004 

Liquidambar styraciflua seedlings    SWEET GUM    moderately old specimen    nice fall color    Water Street    deciduous tree to 60’ or more grown for good fall color. The shape when young is quite narrow and pyramidal, but with age specimens develop a more spreading crown and a broadly rectangular to oval profile. Juvenile stems and branches have interesting corky "wings" but these are not seen on flowering branches. Grafted varieties do not display the wings since the scions come from mature wood. Seedlings are used for bonsai and as grafting understock. Eastern and southern U. S. Hamamelidaceae.

‘Burgundy’    winter color    dark burgundy maroon fall color, usually retaining foliage into winter. Forms a strong leader.
‘Festival’    foliage    tree    bright orange red and pink. More inclined to form a rounded head.
‘Palo Alto’    closeup of fall color    fall color with complementary building    leaves have a very long central lobe, turn deep orange red to burgundy red. Forms the strongest leader.

Liriope muscari    BIG BLUE LILY TURF    commercial planting    clumping to running evergreen grass-like perennials for shade or part shade. Bears spikes of white to dark purple flowers in summer. Average to little watering when established, frost hardy. China, Japan. Liliaceae.

‘Aztec Grass’    a very popular, non-spreading variety, but not a true Liriope. See Ophiopogon jaburan vittata.
‘Big Blue’    big blue seeds    with larger blue berries. This form has a slightly wider leaf and is mostly clumping in habit.
'Emerald Goddess' PP15471    leaves and flowers  a new, longer, wider leaved form, very dense and luxuriant. More rot resistant than other varieties, and probably the fastest form yet. rev 9/2009
‘Monroe White’    flowers    a slower growing variety for shade with nice, dark green leaves and sparklingly clean white flowers. The flower-foliage contrast is very nice, this one would look great in shady spots against dark backgrounds! rev 10/2007
‘Royal Purple’    flowers    deep royal purple flowers.

Livistona a genus of fan palms ranging from tropical to temperate. These are more tropical in appearance than the familiar Washingtonias, and the trunks are naturally clean. Many are at their best when juvenile and the fronds provide fantastic foliage effects at eye level. Palmae/Atrecaceae. rev 9/2009

chinensis  CHINESE FAN PALM  nice young plant   very mature, Huntington Botanic Gardens   Richard Josephson's foliage garden  a tall, slow growing fan palm similar to Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) when mature but distinguished quickly but the fact that it has a very narrow, clean trunk (the leaves dehisce cleanly when old). When blooming the flower spikes are rather spectacular, being feathery, creamy white plumes which are held inside upper part of the leaf canopy, and provide a very nice display. It also varies in other more subtle ways:  the crown is more compact, the foliage is darker green and much glossier, the leaf tips hang down quite dramatically, and the frond head is much more uniformly round. I think its greatest value is in its application as a foliage plant when young. The very broad, glossy, perfect fan fronds make a wonderful addition to any tropical, foliage, or texture-themed garden. In fact, I would consider treating it like I do Brahea armata, removing it once the trunk has extended to any degree and lifted the foliage out of line of gaze with other human-level plants. Luckily it is slow, and will serve this function for years. (And you aren't going to remove it anyway, are you?) It is rather frost hardy, drought tolerant, and generally tough. A great container plant too. Sunset zones 8-9, 13-17, 19-24/USDA zone 9. China, Japan.  rev 9/2009

decipiens    RIBBON PALM, WEEPING FOUNTAIN PALM    nice plant    a highly distinctive and easy to grow medium sized palm that should be much more widely planted. The genus in general is rarely encountered in California and this species in particular has much to recommend it. It is readily distinguished by the rather glossy, weeping leaflets, even on the new growth which give it a very lush, tropical, dramatic, almost sinister appearance. The fronds move gracefully in the wind and if you can, site it to make use of this feature. It grows at a respectable rate, perhaps 6-12" inches a year in height, in full sun with regular watering and feeding. With age it can reach 30-40' across and 8-12' across. It is resistant to The Yellows, even under cooler conditions, and will take frost to about 20F. Flower clusters are much shorter than on its more common (but still uncommon) sister, L. chinensis, staying close to the trunk. Australia. Like almost all palms it does well in containers too. In the ground it will tolerate very wet soils. rev 10/2007 

Lithodora diffusa ‘Grace Ward’    closeup    habit    full-size plant    evergreen perennial forms a low, sprawling mound to 6" tall with a heavy show of small, deep blue flowers displayed against dark green leaves in spring. Sun, good drainage, average to little summer watering. Hardy enough for almost all of California. Older plants often get twisted trunks with attractive, stringy bark. Mediterranean. Boraginaceae.

Lomandra  a genus of sedge-like or grass-like plants, native to Australia. Many forms have been in horticulture for year, but new and improved clonal selections have been introduced more recently that greatly increase their horticultural application. These new forms are more compact and/or less messy than the older, less domesticated forms.  Xanthorrhoeaceae. rev 10/2008

longifolia 'Breeze' PP 15420   several years old  this is a bright green, grass-like plant found across Australia that is widely soil and climate tolerant. To about 2' tall and 3' across, it forms dense clumps and can be used massed. It is drought tolerant but will withstand garden watering without problems, to the extent that it is even seeing wide use in Florida. This is a form selected to be nicer than the average, rather humble wild specimen. Sun to part shade, frost hardy to around 20-15F. Zones 7-9, 13-24/USDA zone 9. rev 10/2009

Lonicera hildebrandiana    GIANT BURMESE HONEYSUCKLE    garden    wonderful flowers    most tropical of honeysuckles, with glossy, 4-6" long leaves and large, tubular, rich yellow orange flowers to 6" long. Fragrant, usually blooms spring through fall. Damaged below 25°F but has survived 20°F. Sun to part shade, average to little watering. Burma. Caprifoliaceae.

japonica ‘Halliana’    HALL’S HONEYSUCKLE    closeup    on a wall    another    deciduous to semievergreen vine well known for fragrant flowers which emerge white, then age to light yellow. Can bloom for most of the year in favorable climates. Sun to part shade, average to little summer watering, frost hardy. Eastern Asia.

nitida 'Twiggy'  young production plants  this is my favorite version of L. nitida, in fact this is the only form I would have in my yard. I find the others I have seen so far to be coarse, and uncouth. And boring. But this one is shiny, very small textured, slightly golden with some orange hues in cold weather, features darker stems, and is just generally cute. It fills in anywhere you want it to and almost looks like a tiny Hebe species from the foliage. It stays small in California as far as we have seen, to perhaps just 2' tall and wide. In England I have seen it as a 3' clipped hedge. Grow it in at least half sun, with average watering. It is hardy beyond Portland and can take rain and at least some reduced summer watering. Sunset zones 5-9, 14-17, 21-24/USDA zone 6. rev 9/2009

Lophomyrtus a genus of shrubs native to New Zealand, sometimes classified as simply Myrtus. Similar in look and application to Pittosporum. Myrtaceae. rev 7/2010

x ralphii 'Little Star'  leaves   very cute little leaves colored green, cream, and pink. Bears fragrant white flowers in summer. Small, only 18-24" tall and wide. Makes a dandy little hedge or container subject. Adds something new to flower arrangements. Sun or part shade. Regular water. Zones 16-24/USDA zone 9.  rev 7/2010