COMPANION PLANTS

Deciduous trees to around 40-60 feet in height. This magnolia – one of the best of the “Chinese large-flowered magnolias” - is a widespread species in western and central China and is quite variable in flower. Most forms have very large and showy, pale to deep pink flowers in early spring, well before the new leaves emerge. This is a species that is rarely offered for sale.  

A fine evergreen ornamental shrub native to China. This species features narrow racemes of densely crowded yellow flowers in late autumn. It has narrow leaflets on the pinnate leaves which are about eight inches in length and the growth habit is quite erect. Our first offering of this rarely cultivated species. A good choice for those spots in the garden that are maybe a bit too dry and shady for rhododendrons.

A rarely cultivated deciduous fern which spreads via long rhizomes. The bright green fronds are softly hairy and up to one foot in length. These long-lanceolate fronds have entire (not dissected or “fern-like”) margins that are strongly undulate, very attractive. A stunning groundcover for mild regions. Grow it in a hanging moss-lined basket so that the rhizomes pop out through the entire basket. Native from the eastern Himalaya into China and south into Thailand. In the wild this species grows on damp rock faces and cliffs or as an epiphyte. A collection from SE Asia.

A member of the Gesneriaceae (a relative of the African Violet). This is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a basal rosette of deeply rugose, toothed and felted leaves from which arises a very short stem with one or two very large, inflated “snapdragon-like” flowers of cream flushed pink with masses of darker spots within. A striking plant for a container, terrarium or shaded rockery (in a mild climate). I am pretty sure this is the first introduction of this species into cultivation. It was found growing with beech, rhododendrons, magnolias, etc. so should have some hardiness.