Heirloom Plants

A true conversation piece! Rows of variable deep to light green sepals, often accented with red, act like the flower petals creating the 1-1/2 to 2" wide green rose-like flowers with a light spicy or peppery fragrance. The long-lasting flowers are are produced throughout the growing season. The Green Rose, Rosa chinensis 'Viridiflora', is a smaller growing, disease resistant, heirloom garden rose to about 3-4' high and equally wide. The unusual flowers make interesting and long-lasting additions to floral arrangements. Easy and reliable. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13539

A repeat flowering Banana Magnolia with a more intense sweet banana fragrance! Hagiwara Everblooming Banana Magnolia produces sweetly fragrant cupped soft yellow flowers for much of summer on this large evergreen shrub to small tree. Easy to grow and enjoy in most well-drained acidic soils. Caterpillar host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Western Tiger Swallowtail. Item# 11481

Spikes of lightly fragrant peachy-pink butterfly-shaped flowers are produced in summer atop sturdy stems adorned in rich green tropical looking foliage in mid to late summer. The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and likely pollinating Sphinx Moths as well. The Hardy Peach Ginger, Hedychium coccineum var. angustifolium 'Peach', is a moderately vigorous, rhizomatous, naturally evergreen tropical that acts like a root hardy die-back perennial in areas where freezes occur. It multiplies readily but not invasively. Makes a good cut flower and is resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits. The Hedychium Gingers typically need the equivalent of about 4-6 hours of cool sunlight in a moist to average moist, rich fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. An organic mulch with all of its many benefits is highly recommended especially for new plantings and in zones 7-8. Item# 10032

This heirloom produces fragrant, medium to large, semi-double to loose peony form, rosy-pink to salmon-pink flowers edged in a broad white band and are randomly streaked with deep red. The mid to late season flowers, January to April, may be centered by a large boss of gold stamens atop white filaments and attract bees and other pollinators. Herme Camellia, known by a variety of additional names depending on which continent you are on, is an old but still highly prized Japonica type with a vigorous, densely branching, initially upright habit that rounds out with maturity. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13227

Dark red trumpets sit atop short sturdy stems in late summer and early fall and flower over an extended period. The Oxblood Lily is an exceptionally easy bulb that multiplies quickly into fairly dense clumps creating a bouquet of flowers whether allowed to naturalize in the yard or the garden. Like its flowering companion, the Red Spider Lily, the Oxblood Lily flowers and then produces narrow strap like foliage which remains over winter. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types and requires literally no care once established. Item# 11820

Small, semi-double, crimson red to rose red flowers with wavy and twisty inner petals, and may have white spots, are centered by a boss of contrasting gold stamens atop white filaments. Flowers are produced early in the season, October to December, attracting bees and other pollinators. Hiryu Sasanqua Camellia, a Camellia x vernalis hybrid, is a vigorous growing heirloom Sasanqua with an upright, well-branched, spreading habit and medium-textured small, dark green, glossy foliage that can exceed 12' high at maturity. Its vigor lends it to use as a screen, hedge, or specimen plant as well as tree forms. The Sasanqua Camellias are much more tolerant of growing conditions than standard Japonica Camellias and can tolerate less than perfect soils and full sun to light shade conditions. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13228

Perennial of the Year in 2016, Missouri Botanic Gardens Plant of Merit, and a RHS Award of Garden Merit winner! As per Allan Armitage's Herbaceous Perennial Plants, 4th Edition "It has graced European gardens since the beginning of the American Civil War and is still the most popular and highly sought after white anemone today.". The clusters of 2-3" wide, pure white, upward facing flowers with yellow eyes are held high above the mass of deep green foliage on sturdy wiry, 3-4' high stems in fall. The flowers of this easy heirloom attract bees and other pollinators. Honorine Jobert Anemone is an easy to grow, clump forming, slowly spreading, shade tolerant perennial whose mass of 12" high, medium textured, deep green, Astilbe-like foliage makes a nice accent or groundcover even when the plants are not in flower. Anemones make good companions for spring flowering bulbs. Tough, easy, and reliable. Tolerant of *full sun in cool summer climates, elsewhere provide midday and afternoon shade or filtered shade. Provide an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum flowering and vigor. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12778

The large, 1-2" long x 3/8" diameter, shiny, black, virtually seedless mulberries with a very sweet flavor typically ripen in spring to summer, earlier in warmer winter regions and later in colder regions. The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry, a popular and productive hybrid of Morus alba x M. rubra, is a large and fast growing, deciduous tree with a naturally rounded habit at maturity and growing to about 30-40' high and wide. It reliably produces crops at a young age and is self-pollinating. The fruit can be enjoyed fresh or use it to make jams, jellies, syrups, or wine. Songbirds love the ripe fruit and waves of Cedar Waxwings come through annually to feast on them. Mulberries make an easy and low maintenance fruit tree for homes and gardens. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and production. Item# 1000

Large rounded clusters of deep sky blue, salverform flowers are produced spring to fall to potentially year round under warm tropical conditions and are mainly butterfly pollinated. Imperial Blue Plumbago, a slightly darker selection of Plumbago auriculata, is a naturally evergreen, mounding to scandent or vine-like shrubby tropical that typically grows to about 1-2' high and 3-4' wide by the end of the growing season. This is an easy hanging basket or container specimen and can be utilized as a filler or trailer in combination planters as well as for patio trees, espaliers, or vining along a fence in areas that don't experience hard freezes, like in zones 10-11. It also makes a showy addition to the garden and landscape and plants are fairly adaptable to sun to brightly shaded sites. Plumbago will do best in rich and fertile, average moist, acidic soils with good drainage. Item# 9739

Grown mainly for its beautifully variegated foliage that starts out as creamy yellow and medium green and matures to bright white and deep green, but, plants may also produce the typical drooping clusters of sky blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies. The Improved Variegated Duranta, a selection of Duranta erecta, is a naturally evergreen, large shrub with a moderately vigorous upright and spreading habit that can mature to 8-10' high and wide but is easily maintained as a smaller container plant as a shrub or tree standard in the 3-6'H x 3-4'W range with pruning. In tropical freeze-free climates these easy to grow tropicals can be utilized as a large hedge or screen. Flowers may be followed by clusters of up to 3/8" golden berries. Provide an average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage in a full sun to partly shaded site for optimum vigor and growth. Item# 13524

Large clusters of fragrant, hot pink to cherry red trumpets are held in large clusters atop sturdy stalks growing to 4' high in summer and attracting a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Infusion Crinum Lily, a vigorous hybrid with Ellen Bosanquet in its parentage, is a long-lived tough and easy, naturally evergreen, tropical to subtropical but winter hardy, bulbous perennial that sports large strappy medium green foliage that can sprawl to 5-6' across during the growing seaon. The bulbs readily offset creating a dense mass of foliage and flowering stems and will benefit from division from time to time. These hardy bulbs are quite adaptable to soil types but will prefer a full to mostly site for optimum vigor and flowering. Outside of zones 7-10 they can be enjoyed as easy and low maintenance container plants that can be overwintered indoors in a sunny window. Crinums are deer and rabbit resistant. Item# 13394

In summer arching spikes of showy green, flattened seed heads, reminiscent of fish hanging on a fishing pole, are produced which eventually fade to tan and remain showy until late winter or early spring. The seed heads flutter even in the slightest of breezes providing motion and interest for months. One of our most recognizable, useful, and adaptable native grasses, Inland Sea Oats, Chasmanthium latifolium, is a deciduous, small to medium-sized perennial that readily develops into a groundcover via both rhizomes and seed. Its shade and moisture tolerance lend it to use as a tallish groundcover in both full sun to lightly shaded, wet to average moist, naturalistic garden and landscape settings. The decorative seedheads are used both fresh and dried in cut flower arrangements and the foliage is utilized by the Northern Pearly-Eye, Salt and Pepper Skipper, Bell's Roadside Skipper, and the Bronzed Roadside Skipper butterflies. This rhizomatous native grass is widely distributed throughout the central and eastern US from near central and eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvannia. Tough, adaptable, provides late summer, fall, and winter color, and it's deer resistant. Item# 13108

Clusters of up to a dozen 1" wide, strongly to lightly sweetly fragrant, rich yellow flowers are produced beginning in spring and may continue throughout summer on well-grown, established plants. The Italian Jasmine, newly classified as Chrysojasminum humile 'Revolutum', is an evergreen to semi-evergreen, large, scandent or vine-like, arching to fountaining shrub commonly growing to 5-7' high and wide. The dark green foliage nicely complement the sunny yellow flowers. The long limber canes of this true Jasmine make it an easy choice for an espalier if desired or they can be headed back to keep the plants smaller and bushier. It is fairly tolerant of growing conditions from sun to part shade but is likely to flower best where it receives ample sunlight. Provide an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. The flowers attract mainly butterflies and pollinating hummingbird and sphinx moths but potentially bees and hummingbirds as well. Its easy and reliable nature has garnered it the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Item# 470

The 2-3" wide, white funnel shaped flowers are randomly flecked with pink to red and are produced in late spring. Iveryanum Azalea, a.k.a. Iveryana, is an heirloom dwarf Southern Indica hybrid developing into a 3' high mound of medium to deep green, medium textured, evergreen foliage. It lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12797

An Allen Armitage 'no-brainer' perennial! The white full daisies are held atop and among the rich green foliage beginning in mid to late spring to early summer and continuing into fall. The nectar laden flowers are composed of multiple outer rows of white ray petals that have a light tinge of lavender surrounding a dense rounded mass of lemon tinged disc flowers. Japanese Aster, now classified as Aster iinumae previously Asteromea mongolica or Kalimeris mongolica, is a slowly spreading rhizomatous herbaceous bushy perennial growing to about 12-24"H x 18-24"W though some sources suggest that it may reach 36"H. This plant's reliability and flower power have garnered it a top spot among Dr. Armitage's list of "no-brainer" perennials. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Use this easy perennial in both the garden and landscape as a tall groundcover or specimen as well as for easy and free flowering container specimens. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady.

Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 13150

The top performer in both attracting pollinators and disease resistance in the Mt. Cuba Center's trials! Huge conical clusters of smaller than typical fragrant lavender-pink flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in midsummer and lasting into fall attracting a host of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. Jeana Garden Phlox is an exceptionally vigorous and free flowering selection of our native Phlox paniculata whose stems can touch on 5' by the end of the growing season. This is a hardy, clump forming, deciduous perennial preferring a full to mostly sunny site in an acidic, average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13194

The large, double pink, carnation-like flowers are produced in great abundance all summer long on this easily grown deciduous shrub. The Rose of Sharon, a cold hardy shrubby Hibiscus species, has a naturally vase shaped habit when young but becomes rounded and full with age and it can also be trained into a tree form with careful pruning. These heirloom pass-a-long plants are quite tolerant of most well-drained, fertile soils in sunny sites and are resistant to periodic, short term drought once well-established. Jimmy's Double Pink Althea or Rose of Sharon is a much loved plant that came to us via John's mother's prized Althea bush when Jimmy, their 4 year old son, picked his mother, Bonnie, a flower and she rooted the cutting some 40 years ago and it still graces our gardens to this day. The flowers, even though double, attract bees, hummingbirds and the occassional butterfly. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 810

The 2-3" wide mainly white flowers have a nicely contrasting deep cherry red blotch and flecks but are occasionally light pink to light lavender and are produced in mid to late spring. Johga Azalea, a sport of Izayoi and sometimes spelled 'Joga', is a dwarf Satsuki evergreen azalea that slowly develops into a 2-3' high mound of deep green medium-texured foliage. It lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12799

The 3-4" wide, bright white, rose or perfect form flowers are randomly striped with streaks of red and are produced in early to midseason or November to February. Occasionally flowers may be half red and white to solid red. La Peppermint Camellia is an heirloom Large Flowered Japonica with a moderately vigorous upright, densely branching habit that rounds out with age to about 10' high and 6-8' wide. The dark green glossy foliage acts as the perfect foil for the bright white flowers. For optimum growth and vigor provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. See our Camellia Growing Guide for in-depth planting and care instructions. Item# 10630

The variably colored medium sized semi-double flowers of this beauty are composed of wavy petals that can range from near white to blush pink with medium pink toward the center and seemingly random splashes, flecks, and stripes of bright red, or no red at all, that surround a boss of yellow stamens. Lady Vansittart Japonica Camellia is another well loved heirloom cultivar with a slow to medium growth rate. Flowers mid to late season. Item# 11573

Deep violet flowers with a white eye hang like grapes from this upright to arching, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub. The flowers of Lindley's Butterfly Bush, Buddleja lindleyana, are produced nearly continuously from late spring to fall and attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, and larger bees. This is a naturally suckering shrub and will slowly develop into a mass that can be utilized as an informal hedge or at the back of the border. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-drained soils for optimal vigor and flowering. Item # 341

Much like our old favorite the Butterfly Ginger but with much larger (like the size of a Luna Moth) white fragrant flowers that are borne from early summer to fall on shorter sturdier stems to 3-4'H and large lush tropical foliage. An excellent cut flower whose fragrance can fill a room. Multiplies readily but not uncontrollably. Item# 9775.

Magnolia or Brunswick produces a good crop of medium to large bronze to purple figs with good quality pink to amber flesh with tiny seeds and open eye. The fruit ripens over a long season. Magnolia is considered a good choice for the drier portions of the South and Southwestern US. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 1113.

A Camellia Hall of Fame Award winner and an RHS Award of Garden Merit selection! The medium-sized, soft pale pink, semi-double, cupped flowers are accented by a boss of yellow stamens and are produced in midseason or January to March. The dark green glossy foliage acts as the perfect foil for the light colored flowers. Magnoliaeflora or Hagoroma Camellia is an heirloom, large flowered Japonica type with a dense and compact habit that is usually slightly smaller than most Japonicas growing to about 6-8' high and 3-4' wide. For optimum growth and vigor provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. See our Camellia Growing Guide for in-depth planting and care instructions. Item# 894