Heirloom Plants

The arrowhead shaped medium green foliage is decorated with darker purplish green round spots when young then matures to a rich medium green. Soon after leafing back out in spring, African False Hosta, Drimiopsis maculata, produces arching 1" diameter dense rounded spikes of small white buds that mature to green once the flowers open.This is a naturally decidous clump-forming, readily multiplying, semi-hardy tropical bulb that is well suited to shaded conditions and is suprisingly considered hardy in the garden into zone 7B per Tony Avent of Plant Delights. The shade-loving African False Hosta is well suited to container culture where it makes an easy and low-maintenance specimen plant, utilize it in mixed succulent gardens, as a groundcover under larger plants provided it gets sufficient light, as well as in the shaded garden or landscape. Its main requirement is a very well-drained soil. During active growth, average moisture is preferred and it can be allowed to remain a good deal dryer when dormant. We ship 3 flowering-sized bulbs actively growing in a 4.5" pot. Item# 12276

The arrowhead shaped medium green foliage is decorated with darker purplish green round spots when young then matures to a rich medium green. Soon after leafing back out in spring, African False Hosta, Drimiopsis maculata, produces arching 1" diameter dense rounded spikes of small white buds that mature to green once the flowers open.This is a naturally decidous clump-forming, readily multiplying, semi-hardy tropical bulb that is well suited to shaded conditions and is suprisingly considered hardy in the garden into zone 7B per Tony Avent of Plant Delights. The shade-loving African False Hosta is well suited to container culture where it makes an easy and low-maintenance specimen plant, utilize it in mixed succulent gardens, as a groundcover under larger plants provided it gets sufficient light, as well as in the shaded garden or landscape. Its main requirement is a very well-drained soil. During active growth, average moisture is preferred and it can be allowed to remain a good deal dryer when dormant. We ship 1-3 or more bulbs actively growing in a 2.25" pot. Item# 12277

This may be the heirloom fig Amato, sometimes incorrectly Amata, that was imported by Amato Tassa from Italy during his immigration from Italy. An article was written about his Mr. Tassa's 25' high fig tree in Washington, D.C. in the October 8, 1910 issue of the Washington Times as fresh ripened figs seem to be almost unknown from that area at that time. In Dr. Ira Condit's Figs: a Monograph he lists this variety as Royal with the synonyms: Obispo, Trojano di Napoli, Tassa Brown, and Geraci Black and suggests that it was imported several times and was given a variety of names. Dr. Condit states that it produces both a fair breba crop and a decent primary crop of medium to large, black, violet, to green, turbinate, or flattened and with little or no neck, with a modereately rich, sweet flavor and an amber to strawberry flesh. It has a medium to large eye and so may be best suited to drier climates. Amato's cold hardiness, as proven by its ability to apparently thrive and produce in the Washington, D.C. area, should make this a good fig to try in more northerly latitudes. These were kindly shared with us by Christine Jones. Item# 11450

Huge flat clusters, becoming dome-shaped as they mature, are composed of numerous small lightly fragrant white flowers that are followed by heavy crops of shiny black berries. The American Elderberry, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, is a large growing native deciduous suckering shrub whose cooked fruit and flowers are used to create healthy and delicious confections, syrup, jelly, wine and more. The pollen rich flower clusters attract an array of smaller pollinators and its ripe fruit is sure to attract a host of bird species. Elderberries are monoecious, both male and female at the same time, and are typically at least semi-self fertile but it is generally recommended to plant at least two different plants for cross pollination and the heaviest crops. If you order multiple plants from us, you will receive at least two different selections. The large ripe fruit clusters are a great treat for chickens. Item #11269

Amplissimus Rose of Sharon produces 2-3" wide, double, purplish-red flowers throughout much of summer on this easy to grow vigorous shrub, which is very tolerant of heat and most growing conditions. Althea or Rose of Sharon is a hardy Hibiscus that naturally develops into a multi-stemmed, vase-shaped deciduous shrub that can be trained into a tree form if desired. Provide an average moist to moderately moist, fertile soil and full sun for optimum growth and flowering. Item# 10338.

An heirloom variety with 6" salmon-pink, star-like blooms with a dark throat. An easily grown cactus-like plant with 1.5" wide, flat, scalloped branches to 8'. Great in hanging baskets. Item# 1069.

An heirloom variety with 6" salmon-pink, star-like blooms with a dark throat. An easily grown cactus-like plant with 1.5" wide, flat, scalloped branches to 8'. Great in hanging baskets. Item# 9467.

The large periwinkle blue semi-double star-shaped flowers open from balloon shaped buds throughout the summer months. Astra Semi-Double Blue Balloon Flower is a dwarf and compact clump forming taprooted herbaceous perennial that produces more and more flowering stems as the plants age. This dwarf seed grown strain tops out at just 8-12" high making for an easy and long flowering container specimen or a colorful conversation starting perennial for the sunny garden and landscape. Ballon Flowers do best in full to mostly sunny, average moist, well-drained, fertile soils. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12314

Large clusters of deep reddish pink, nectar and pollen laden flowers are produced from summer nearly to frost attracting loads of bees who are constantly working the flowers along with butterflies and hummingbirds. The Baja Red Rose of Montana, the deepest red selection of Antigonon leptopus selected from seed that originated in Baja California, is a vigorous, heat and sunloving, root hardy, tropical vine that can reach heights to 30'H or more if provided with a support. It can easily be enjoyed on arbors, medium and large trellises, along fences, and we have often seen it being allowed to grow up the bare trunks of palms in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. The plants produce potato-like tubers from which they return each spring. Provide the Rose of Montana or Coral Vine with a full sun to part shade site in a fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. A favorite for bee keepers! Item# 9027

The rosette-like clusters of glossy, wide, succulent, medium green, tapering foliage resembles a bromeliad in many regards but is actually a close kin of the more common Wandering Jew and Spiderworts. Mature Basket Plant mothers may produce upright to arching branching stems that are adorned with basket-like clusters of dainty, white, fragrant flowers that are likely pollinated by hummingbird and Sphinx moths. New pups are typically produced at the ends of long, spidery trailing arms and can be up to 36" long. This is an easy and rewarding, heirloom plant suitable even for beginners and it can be enjoyed indoors as well as out. The Basket Plant, Callisia fragrans, is a naturally evergreen, tropical perennial with individuals growing to about 6-10"H x 12"W. It can be enjoyed as hanging basket and container specimens and is also used as an easy and low maintenance groundcover in areas with mild winter climates. It is reported to withstand some direct sunlight but the leaves tend to lay down and may take on purple tinging, we personally think it looks the best when grown in light shade or with a short period of cool direct sunlight like very early or very late in the day. Provide a well-drained, average moist soil and allow the soil to become somewhat dry between waterings. Item# 12908

Tall long-lasting spikes of lavender and purple flowers are held on sturdy stems above the beautiful rich glossy green foliage in late summer and fall. Bear's Breeches is an easy to grow slowly spreading perennial that lends its form, flowers, and foliage to the shaded garden, landscape, and even as a container plant. The leaf pattern of Acanthus mollis was used extensively in Greek architecture. Provide good to average drainage, moderate fertility and average moisture for optimum growth and flowering. Item# 3003

Tall long-lasting spikes of lavender and purple flowers are held on sturdy stems above the beautiful rich glossy green foliage in late summer and fall. Bear's Breeches is an easy to grow slowly spreading perennial that lends its form, flowers, and foliage to the shaded garden, landscape, and even as a container plant. The leaf pattern of Acanthus mollis was used extensively in Greek architecture. Provide good to average drainage, moderate fertility and average moisture for optimum growth and flowering. Item# 11914

The bracts start out chartreuse to yellow and quickly begin to take on bronze tones and mature to a deep brick red. A favorite among hummingbirds, the nectar rich, tubular white flowers peak out from between the bracts and have maroon bee guides on the lower lip. The Bicolor Red Shrimp Plant, a selection of Justicia brandeegeana, is a heat loving, naturally evergreen, bushy, tropical plant with dark olive green foliage and grows to about 24" high by about 18" wide. The foliage of these plants may eventually show white and cream variegation as they were propagated from variegated mother plants. The Red Shrimp Plants can be enjoyed both as container plants as specimens or in mixed company as well as in the garden and landscape. It is both full sun and bright shade tolerant but tends to have the densest branching habit where it receives at least 4 hours or more of direct sunlight. Provide an average to well-drained, moderately fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. The Red Shrimp Plant is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Item# 12909

Selected at the esteemed Biltmore Estate, Ashville, NC, the summerlong display of 2" wide dangling Chinese lantern-like flowers are a soft yellow-orange heavily overlaid with a strongly contrasting deep red veining. Biltmore Ball Gown Abutilon or Flowering Maple is an exceptionally hardy and reliable upright growing, naturally evergreen shrubby tropical that has proven to be evergreen in mild zone 8 winters but where it is not reliably hardy it makes an easy container plant that can be overwintered indoors near a sunny window. Abutilons are also known as Parlor Maples as this was a reliably flowering indoor plant and a conversation piece. The flowers attract hummingbirds and other garden beneficials. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in a fertile, average moist soil. Item# 13087

The sweet dark figs of Mission are the number one favorite for drying. Mission is one of the most widely grown figs in California producing heavy crops of medium to large dark purplish-black pear-shaped fruit with a rich, sweet strawberry red pulp. Good fresh or preserved. Black Mission is self-pollinating and may produce a light breba crop. A good choice for the South as well. The small eye makes it resistant to spoiling. Item # 832.

 

The 6-petaled starry flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red are heavily speckled and flecked with red and are produced on sturdy stems atop the fans of medium to light green iris-like foliage in summer over a period of several weeks. The flowers of the Blackberry Lily, Belamcanda chinensis or more recently Iris domestica, are followed by seed pods that split open to reveal shiny black round seeds that are sometimes used in dried arrangements for fall. This is a hardy clump forming heirloom perennial with a tough constitution as well as being a colorful and low-maintenance addition to the garden and landscape. It will do best in an average to well-drained, average moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12304

The large, soft pumpkin orange, trumpet shaped, fragrant flowers are highlighted by a contrasting starry, lemony yellow throat and are held in clusters atop thick, sturdy stems well above the bluish green strap-like foliage. Blossfeld's Amaryllis is a rare but quickly multiplying hardy, bulbous perennial suitable for the garden or as an easy and rewarding container plant. Item# 11586

The large, 3-4'' wide, blue to lavender, Hibiscus-like flowers are produced throughout the warmer months of the year to year-round under warm frost free conditions. The Blue Hibiscus, Alyogyne huegelii, is an upright to rounded, naturally evergreen, Australian native shrub that is heat and sunloving and is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. It is fairly adaptable to soil types and moisture as long as they are provided with excellent drainage, otherwise it tends to be fairly short-lived. Full sun is optimal and it can be enjoyed both as a container plant as well as making a nice specimen or informal hedge in the garden and landscape. It is sometimes trained as a tree standard to good effect. Plants tend to be somewhat open and if foliage becomes too sparse or the plants too larger they can be pruned back fairly hard and will put out vigorous new growth and some sources suggest that it flowers best after a good pruning. Item# 12881