Plant of the month: Wright’s Yellowshow (Amoreuxia wrightii) During my first year at Peckerwood, a strange plant suddenly appeared in a raised bed near John’s house. The intriguing foliage was unfamiliar to me, with each leaf bearing toothy-edged finger-like lobes jutting out in all directions. At first, the leaf looked green, but the more I focused on it, a blue hue became increasingly apparent. The point from…
In my home state of Florida, the native cycad is a staple landscape plant in parking lot islands, foundation plantings…anywhere. These cycads are planted as individual textural specimens or massed in clumps or rows. Aside from their attractiveness, their popularity also is due to their propensity for being a durable, drought-tolerant and frost-hardy option for…
Prunus mume ‘Josephine’ bending well with woody lilies at the edge of the south dry garden One of the stars among Peckerwood’s many winter-interest plants is Prunus mume, also known as the flowering apricot. For quite some time, as evidenced by some large trees on the property, John Fairey has been amassing various cultivars for trial here in…
Taken in late October, the green foliage of Populus rzedowskii contrasts against the browned leaves of surrounding native P. occidentalis. I recently learned that likely every Mexican sycamore in cultivation, widely known under the Latin name Platanus mexicana is actually a different species altogether – Platanus rzedowskii. I am now doubtful if the “true” P. mexicana is actually cultivated in the U.S. This incorrect…
Trillium texanum , a pedicillate wakerobin, in our conservation collection. In many cooler parts of the country, trilliums are the heralds of spring in the woodland garden, with their beautifully patterned leaves and striking flowers serving as a cheerful farewell to winter. Many gardeners are surprised to find that we are able to grow various Trillium species…
This multi-stemmed shrub stretches to at least 5 feet tall and bears oak-shaped leaves. In March the entire plant is smothered in clusters of bright yellow flowers that are a magnet for a variety of pollinators. Offered are rooted cuttings from John’s wild collected Mexican plants.
Debatably a native to east Texas, this trillium is better known from Louisiana so it is used to heat and humidity. It prefers moist but well-drained woodland garden conditions, such as on a berm with supplemental irrigation during dry spells. It dies back in late spring/early summer but will re-emerge in February the following year.
At first glance, young plants might resemble just another common silvery blue agave abundant in the area’s landscapes. However, once this plant gains some size, it is a real standout with an elegant form to the 6 feet long leaves, most of which point straight up, creating a vase-like shape. Unlike the more common silver…
Although becoming more popular, this amazing Mexican oak is so unlike any other with its dark green and highly textured leaves, it therefore deserves wider use in the area’s landscapes.
This subtropical Asian maple looks nothing like a maple. You won’t see fall color with this species as it is mostly evergreen with unlobed elliptical leaf shape that is perfect for fooling your gardening friends as to its identity. A very tough plant once established.
